San Japan anime convention livens up downtown San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO — Crazy-colored wig alert! Downtown San Antonio is really coming to animated life this weekend with San Japan, a celebration of Japanese animation called anime, with just as colorful, often costumed fans called otaku. The Convention Center event promises tons of fun with cosplay (costume play) and more geekery with a Far East flair.

San Japan attendees Bianca Esquivel and Victoria Barbier as Jean and Mikasa, respectively, from the hit anime series “Attack on Titan.”

This year’s convention, dubbed San Japan: Samurai 7, already looks to set an attendance record. Main convention chairman Dave Henkin expects this year’s event to draw 13,000. Last year’s con pulled in just north of 11,000.
“We are well on our way to breaking all of our attendance records,” said San Japan community relations director S. David Ramirez.

Part of that record is thanks to costumed attendees like Victoria Barbier and Bianca Esquivel, both dressed as noble giant killers from the hit anime series “Attack on Titan.”

As the heroic Mikasa in a midriff-bearing “workout” ensemble, Barbier noted the fun of San Japan lies in losing yourself in character with fellow fans who are just as passionate about not being themselves.

This year that unreality gets a bit darker than usual, what with special San Japan guests connected to the horror video game series “Silent Hill.”

Be on the lookout for “Silent Hill” composer Akira Yamaoka and voice-over actress and “Silent Hill” soundtracks singer Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, plus what’s sure to be the gonzo fan dressed up as one of the series’ creepy nurse monsters or Pyramid Head.

Such nightmare fuel aside, San Japan also offers plenty of bright spots like video games, collectibles from vendors and music to shake that pastel hair to.

San Japan continues into Sunday. For ticket info, visit the San Japan website. And keep an eye out here at mySA.com for San Japan updates, just like this updated post.